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Data Scientist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
OD, NLM, ORF, NLM

Summary

Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH's budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit: Office of Extramural Research.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/01/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 1, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$70,623 - $111,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NIH-GR-MP-26-12962740
Control number
870427200

Duties

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If selected for this position as a Data Scientist, GS-1560-09/11 your duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Assists higher-graded employees in the performance of continued projects in data science topics that include scientific, statistical, and predictive techniques (e.g., regression analysis, statistical analysis, modeling, mathematical programming, machine learning, and data visualization).
  • Develops models, forecasts, and visualization based on generally accepted statistical methods to demonstrate the patterns identified and highlight indicators. Analyzes, designs, normalizes, develops, and implements databases or manipulates existing databases using a relational database management system or other database (e.g., Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, Azure). Uses a variety of programming languages to write scripts, procedures, functions, expressions to manipulate or visualize data (e.g., VBA, Python, R, Julia, Scala, SQL, JavaScript, etc.). Uses a variety of tools and platforms to create data visualizations and other reporting needs (e.g., Statistical Analysis System (SAS), Apache Hadoop, Tableau, PowerBI, QlikView, D3.js).
  • Assists senior specialists in presenting findings in the most relevant format, including text, graphs, charts, tables, and models.
  • Assists in the development and integration of data mining capacities using algorithms as well as structured databases to perform predictive analytics on these data.
  • Designing and implementing strategies, methodologies, and tools to collect data that is relevant, accurate, and representative of the target population or phenomenon of interest. Preparing the data and ensuring its suitability for the intended use (e.g., storage, analysis, or modeling) by cleaning, wrangling, and formatting the data. Organizing, storing, and maintaining data in a way that optimizes access patterns, security, and accommodates different data types and characteristics.
  • Using computational/statistical techniques for analyzing data. This includes applying the algorithms and methods that underlie artificial intelligence (AI), data mining, machine learning, and statistical inference to gain knowledge or insights, build classifiers and predictors, or infer causality.
  • Representing data and information visually through graphical or interactive means such as charts, graphs, maps, or dashboards. Explaining what the visualized data means considering context, point, implications, and possible ramifications.
  • Developing, implementing, or leading data science initiatives, programs, or strategies while ensuring compliance, managing teams/resources, evaluating proposals, and maintaining reproducible work procedures. Developing, implementing, modifying, or providing recommendations on data visualization, healthcare AI, and other data science tools (e.g., machine learning).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: To qualify for a Data Scientist, GS-1560 position, you must have a bachelor's degree, or graduate/higher level degree with a major study in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a field that is directly related to the position; OR, a combination of education (at least 30 semester hours) and additional appropriate/related experience that is the equivalent to a major in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or a field directly related to the position.

All education, unless completed outside of the U.S., must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the education was completed.

Additional Requirements: In addition, in order to qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, you must have:

At least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: 1.) extracting raw data from multiple sources in preparation for data cleaning and manipulation; 2.) conducting data cleaning with programming languages (e.g., R, Python) to transform raw data into clean, organized information; 3.) analyzing data to identify trends, patterns, or relationships using statistical methods/techniques (e.g., Logistic Regression, ANOVA); 4.) summarizing findings using data visualization tools to inform data-driven decisions;
or,
2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field;
or,
A combination of post baccalaureate education in a related field, and specialized experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

In order to qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must have:

At least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: 1.) developing recommendations for the most efficient ways to collect quantitative information; 2.) creating data cleaning/wrangling scripts to transform data into a suitable format for analysis or storage; 3.) analyzing data with programming languages (e.g., R, Python) using statistical methods/techniques (e.g., Logistic Regression, ANOVA) to extract insights/findings; 4.) summarizing data analysis results using data visualization tools to prepare presentations for internal stakeholders or team members;
or,
3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field;
or,
A combination of post baccalaureate education above the master's level in a related field, and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12962740

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • A newly appointed or reappointed individual may receive a recruitment incentive. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation Information
  • A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied.
  • Qualified
  • Well Qualified
  • Best Qualified
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

Agency contact information

Global Jobs
Phone
000-000-0000
Email
globaljobs@mail.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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